A.D. Schmidt, Cornell Johnson MBA Class of 2026
Age: 31
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Alabama, telecommunication and film
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Independent producer of multimedia content for various corporate clients (six years); owner and operator of production company (three years).
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
My biggest reason was personal growth. Attending business school will push me into new situations, expose me to new people and ideas, and launch me into a new chapter in my career that does the same. Before attending, I had achieved a lot in my career, but I could sense a plateau in my development. To me, the timing was perfect to take this next step.
Why did you choose Cornell Johnson? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
There were a lot of factors, but I’ll touch on three of the biggest ones.
1. The location. The Finger Lakes region is so beautiful. There isn’t another school where you can casually hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in the United States on a Sunday morning. With so many people ending up in big cities post-MBA, it’s nice to spend a couple of years in a place so connected with nature. Ithaca, paired with the small class size, creates an environment that really fosters a tight-knit community, which is exactly what I was looking for.
2. The alumni network. Cornell has a brand that extends across the country and really across the globe. In my conversations with alumni, I was struck by how authentic Johnson alums were. It’s a community I knew I wanted to be a part of, and there’s a real culture of giving back that lets you know you’ll always have a support system.
3. Johnson’s immersion learning — particularly the management consulting immersion. The preparation it gives you to succeed in your internship and career as a consultant is unparalleled. From what I’ve seen so far, I can’t give this curriculum that Chris Bordoni has developed enough praise. It really sets Johnson apart and made attending a very easy decision.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
When I think about leading teams, I look at it through the lens of directing a short film or running a commercial shoot. You take a group of people with an often very disparate set of skills and personalities, align them toward a common goal and ultimately create something greater than the sum of its parts. Experiences like that give me a unique perspective, and I love being able to share them with my classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
The last time I saw snow, the Texas power grid collapsed, and I didn’t have electricity or running water for multiple days. I guess that’s not really a “fun” fact, but I am looking forward to the distinct seasons Ithaca has (and living in a place that can handle cold weather).
Post-MBA career interests:
Strategy consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Starting early. This is a long process, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed as you approach submission deadlines. I gave myself a lot of time to work on getting the test score I was looking for and to get to know the schools I was interested in. That paid off later when I didn’t need to rush my essays.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I could have spoken with more students and alumni. The insights you gain are so valuable. Schools talk about their culture a lot in info sessions, but there are some major differences between them. When you speak with someone who’s had those experiences, you start to be able to imagine yourself in their shoes. For me, having these conversations was so important to find what school would be the best fit. I’m glad the feeling was mutual with Cornell.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT. It can be daunting. Math was a strength of mine in school, but my career up to now hasn’t required any quantitative skills. I had to invest a good amount of time to understand what the GMAT tested from the ground up. What helped me get through it was to realize that it’s a trainable skill. If you put the work in and have the right approach, you can beat the median score at any school.
What is your initial impression of the Cornell Johnson students/culture/community?
The people are incredibly friendly here. From the first moment you step on campus, you get a sense of how close the community is. Everyone comes from an impressive background, yet they’re down-to-earth. I think that’s part of the reason Johnson has such a supportive and collaborative culture.
What is one thing you have learned about Cornell Johnson that has surprised you?
I’m impressed with how much structure and support there is to a lot of facets of the program, particularly with recruiting. You’re given all the tools and information you need to succeed. Even though I’ll barely have a moment to breathe over the next few months, I’m surprised by how comfortable I feel that I’ll get the result that I want.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Time. There are so many opportunities to explore, and you want to do everything, but it’s easy to overextend yourself if you take on too much. I plan on being as intentional as possible about where I’m investing my time.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I think the most important thing about going to business school is the relationships you build. I’m excited for every moment I get to experience with this class. I’ve already made some great friends in the short time I’ve been in Ithaca, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this journey has in store.
